The Senate confirmed that Tarshi Gabbard will serve as director of national intelligence on Wednesday. Gabbard is the 14th member of President Donald Trump's Cabinet.
Many thought Gabbard's DNI had bid for a long shot, but the Senate confirmed her with a 52-48 vote. In particular, Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell voted against Gabbard's confirmation.
Gabbard shared passionate interactions with the senators during the confirmation hearing in late January, but the GOP was behind Trump's DNI pick.
“Miss Gabbard is a patriot,” said John Tune, the majority leader (Rs.D.). I said. “She's a service-motivated person. …The intelligence news community needs to focus on its core missions, gather intelligence and provide an unbiased analysis of that information.
Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Gabbard shared passionate interactions with the senators during the confirmation hearing in late January, but the GOP was behind Trump's DNI pick.
Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkovsky announced Monday night that she will vote to confirm Gabbard after she voted to call cloudure with her nomination.
“Tulsi Gabbard will vote to confirm as Director of National Intelligence,” Murkowski I said. “I am concerned about the particular position she has taken before, but it is said that it will curb the large scope of agency while allowing ODNI to continue its important function in supporting national security. I am grateful for her commitment.”
“I rely on her to ensure that American citizens' safety and civil liberties remain strictly protected, as she brings independent thinking and necessary surveillance to her new role. ” added Murkowski.
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Gabbard also secured support from Republican Sen. Susan Collins in Maine.
“After much consideration of her nomination, I support Tarshi Gabbard as director of national intelligence,” Collins said. I said In a statement. “As one of the leading authors of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which established this coordination position, I understand the important role that DNI plays in the intelligence reporting community.”
Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana has also publicly committed to Gabbard's support ahead of the Senate Intelligence Email Committee vote to advance the nomination of a senator. Other Republicans like Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Sen. John Cornyn of Texas gave Gabbard a little enthusiastic support, but still supported the candidate.
“President Trump chose Tarsi Gabbard to be his point figure in the foreign intelligence news.” Cassidy I said in a statement on Monday. “I trust President Trump for this decision and vote for her confirmation.”
“I believe President Trump has earned the right to appoint his cabinet if he doesn't have an extraordinary situation.” I said In a statement after Gabbard's hearing. “Therefore, it is my intention to agree to appoint Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence.”
While many were skeptical of her confirmation, Gabbard became another success story for Trump Camp.
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